When Nick Walle and his son Nick Jr. showed up at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 2, they were merely hoping for a Husky win over University of Southern California. Decked out in purple and gold, this father-son duo never expected they’d get another surprise win that day.
But thanks to the UW’s partners at Alaska Airlines, Dawg Pack President Caroline Conley got to surprise these two lifelong Husky fans with pregame field sideline passes and two roundtrip tickets to anywhere Alaska flies.
Despite the cold, gray game day, 11-year-old Nick Jr. was all smiles as he strolled past the row of helmets, bumped into live mascot Dubs and got one of the pup’s signature high-fives, and introduced his Harry the Husky stuffy to the real Harry mascot. The younger Walle even got running back Jonah Coleman to sign his hat.
Nick Sr. and his son live in Zillah, Washington, near Yakima, and this was their sixth UW football game. Nick Jr. is an aspiring football player himself, can name every Husky, and says he hopes to play for the team one day.
"I've always known the UW for not only being a powerhouse athletic university, but one of America's most prestigious universities. I always wanted my kids to be a part of something great, so I've tried to keep them around the environment as much as possible."
The Nicks admire their field passes after learning they’d won the chance to watch warmup from the sidelines.
Caroline Conley, president of the Dawg Pack (the student section of Husky Athletics events), leads the winners down to the field.
Nick and his son got to spend a half hour experiencing the pregame up close and personal.
Dubs' handlers Lily Witter (in gray on left) and Kyanna Johnson (in gray on right) introduce the furry mascot to his biggest fan.
The Nicks flash their Alaska Airlines tickets, which will allow them to travel anywhere Alaska flies. Nick Sr. says they’re hoping to go to Hawai’i.
Nick Jr., shown here with Harry the Husky and Dubs, says he’s been a Husky fan since birth.
“When I stepped on the field, it made me feel like a kid again,” Nick Sr. says. “I’ve never felt so happy and small all at the same time. I know my son felt the same way, just being next to all the players.”
The two are still deciding where they want to fly with their Alaska Airlines tickets, but dad Nick says they’re hoping to fulfill a lifelong dream of going to Hawai‘i.
